Videos- The "Private" White House Fourth of July Celebration

These are "in-house" videos made by the administration. There was bit of a hoo haa over the fact that journalists were invited to attend the "private" bash only if they did it off record.

Pics- Malia Obama's BIG Birthday Party

Um, is it me, or is Michelle wearing an awful lot of high waisted clothes recently? Pics via here and here.

Video- President Obama Delivers Independence Day Remarks

Video- Independence Day TEA Party

Just the way I would want to spend my Fourth. I don't care, even when they're trying to talk sane they sound nutsy kookoo.

President Obama reaches out to Iran... with hot dogs

But, I'm guessing, no beer. Some winger somewhere is bound to take this as a bad thing any minute now...

SAN SALVADOR — Having sent the Iranian people a video greeting on their New Year, President Obama is now inviting them to help celebrate a quintessentially American holiday, the Fourth of July.

Last Friday, the State Department sent a cable to its embassies and consulates around the world notifying them that “they may invite representatives from the government of Iran” to their Independence Day celebrations — annual receptions that typically feature hot dogs, red-white-and-blue bunting and some perfunctory remarks about the founding fathers.

Administration officials characterized the move as another in a series of American overtures to Iran. The United States has not had relations with Iran since the American Embassy in Tehran was seized by protesters in 1979; the country’s diplomats have not been formally invited to American events since then.

George W. Bush's tasteless July 4th joke

By GottaLaff

This story was forwarded to me in an e-mail from a trusted friend. She can't verify the story, but strongly suspects it's accurate. So: "Telephone Hour"... or truth? The original e-mail to her, copied and pasted:

4th of July

So a few my friends went to Yale with Barbara Bush (the young one, not the blue suit one) and were invited to the White House for the 4th of July. This is the best story ever. So besides the fact that there were like 50something 25 year olds wasted and smoking in the rose garden, here is what George W. Bush told the "kids" who had taken over the White House:

"He comes outside to say and goodbye and says (in affected southern accent): I have to go to Japan now y'all to visit Prime Minister Yokomotosomethingorother. We are trying to work something out with the Fugarde Indians and figure a peace agreement. We just can't figure out where the Fu- gar- de? (laughs and goes to board AirForce1)

Straight from the horse's mouth to my friends' ears. haha, thought y'all'd like that :)

Seems like tasteless jokes are all the vogue these days. Is there any Republican who respects the office of the presidency any more?

Video of Dennis Kucinich: "Impeach the president"

By GottaLaff

"Stand up for what is good in America"... Impeach the president who lied to take us into a war against Iraq... Let us celebrate freedom from fear... Happy Fourth of July."

Today's America would disappoint founding fathers

By GottaLaff

This isn't your grandmother's America.

I was lamenting the state of our "news" media, and as an extension, the state of our country. As I witness the disintegration of the quality of journalism, and how non-news stories are endlessly looped and forced down the throats of gullible viewers, I am reminded of how things used to be.

Would Walter Cronkite froth over an Obama campaign nuance? Would David Brinkley rabidly salivate over an uncorroborated, biased mantra? Would Chet Huntley engage in undignified distortions? Journalistic Swiftboating didn't exist. It would have been unthinkable. Maybe I'm romanticizing, and I'm sure there had to have been exceptions, but my perception is that there was a gravitas and a reverence for facts that have since been replaced by a cacophony of memes and a servility to shout fests. The depths into which TV news has devolved is not only repugnant, but unconscionable.

As Americans celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an overwhelming majority say the 56 signers of that document would be displeased at how the country has turned out.

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, close to 70 percent say that if the signers of the Declaration of Independence could see America today they would be disappointed, while just under 30 percent say the founding founders would be happy with the country 232 years later.

George Bush is to governing what Rick Sanchez is to newscasting. Let's hope that, by the next Fourth of July, we once again have the Walter Cronkite of presidents, and that the polls reflect a prouder America.

Independence Day Weekend 2008 TV Marathons

By Paddy


Just in case you're fireworked out or have crappy weather in your area. Really long list here. I think I'm leaning towards "What Not To Wear", the Harry Potter Films, Hitchcocks' films and "The Revolution" on the History Channel.